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Help Stop New Tax Hikes in California

Just over a month ago, Californians went to the polls and delivered a resounding “No tax hikes” to their state leaders. Legislators have had four weeks to come up with a better plan that will work for the state and guess what their solution is?

More tax hikes! Take Action and tell your lawmakers more tax hikes are unacceptable.

That’s right, more tax hikes. Except that these are different tax hikes they think the public won’t see through, regardless of the fact that it’s always the same folks who end up footing the bill. Tax proposals now on the table include $2.2 billion in various taxes on business, a 9.9 percent tax on oil extraction, and a massive $1.50/pack cigarette tax hike.

California legislators must think the taxpayers are pretty gullible to swallow this new plan. Taxing business, just when many are fleeing the high taxes of the state, when others are bleeding jobs and struggling in the current economy is a terrible idea. Taxing oil extraction falls in the same category. It isn’t some faceless corporation that drills for energy – it’s people who could use those jobs. And it isn’t just some entity in the sky that absorbs those high taxes – it’s people who will have to pay at the pump.

Cigarette tax hikes are a selfish cash grab that tries to put the economic woes of a state on a small, often-targeted minority. They also hurt small businesses as people go across statelines, or to the black market and internet for cheaper cigarettes.

No one would deny that California is in a bind. But this is a problem that can’t be taxed away. When these tax sources dry up, and if history is any guide they certainly will, legislators will simply tax something else. Legislators were elected to do a job and that means making tough decisions, not just creating more taxes for the group that drew the short straw that day. Spending has far outpaced growth in the state. In good years, California’s government spent as if the revenue would never end rather than keeping spending in line with priorities.

Take Action and urge your legislators not to seek quick fixes that will only push the problem down the road a short ways, but to stop playing favorites with programs and benefits and do the real cutting that needs that be done. During hard times, every family has to cut back. There’s no reason why governments shouldn’t do the same.

1) Video of the Week: In this video, American political scientist, Charles Murray, explains how deeply entrenched regulatory state tyranny is in our legal system, and how everyday Americans can fight back.

When Americans talk about politics, they tend to focus on what’s happens the president’s latest tweet or incendiary comment during a speech or what’s happening in Congress. Most, however, completely ignore what’s happening in their state governments, which may be more impactful to their lives that most debates that happen on the House and Senate floors.

A coalition of conservative leaders on Wednesday released essential principles that must guide any potential path forward for Congress to repeal Obamacare. The group agreed on a set of principles that Congress must adopt in any health care legislation considered later this year or in the future.

Opponents of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which delivered much-needed tax relief to the middle class and business owners large and small, have complained that the law is contributing to the increase in expected budget deficits over the next ten years. Certainly, budget deficits are a serious concern, and Congress has shown no interest in addressing the problem.

Recent reports are showing the benefits of tax reform for many industries in 2018, including top-of-mind industries and those not as frequently found on the front page. FreedomWorks Vice President of Advocacy Noah Wall commented:

At the moment, California is considering the possibility of implementing a single-payer healthcare system. SB 562, the Healthy California Act, would essentially expand Medicare coverage so that it covered every person in the state of California. Having been approved by the Senate, the bill now goes to the state Assembly where it has a chance of passing. However, if it does pass, it would be a massive problem for the state as it would face significant increased state spending, higher taxes, and decreased quality of health care.

Grassroots activists celebrated a big win in Pennsylvania today. Governor Tom Wolf signed our country's largest pension reform into law today. FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon released the following statement:

Americans are suffering under the enormous tax burden placed upon them by the various government entities they live under, but help from Washington seems unreachable. Luckily for citizens of one state, tax reform could be coming swiftly, and from a surprising place.